Doyle & Associates Realty

Oquawka IL Area Guide

Oquawka is a village in Henderson County, Illinois. In 1827 the first claim for the land that would later become Oquawka was laid down by Dr. Isaac Galland. The population of Oquawka was 1,539 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Henderson County. Also, Oquawka is part of the Burlington, IA–IL Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Oquawka History

In 1827 Dr. Isaac Galland staked his claim to this sandy shoreline of the, so called, Military Tract. It was still the home of the Sac and Fox Indians. Oquawka was originally referred to as Lower Yellow Banks or Oquawkiek. The area was named The Yellow Banks because the banks were made up of yellow sand.

Oquawka history does not state as to where or when the first Church or School was built. The first record found was the building of the Presbyterian Church built in 1842-43. There have been new additions and changes through the years but as a whole the old portion is still the same. The old walnut siding it was sided with is still in place under the newer aluminum siding. This Church is used today as the United Methodist Church.

If it had not been for the Mississippi River there is little doubt that there would have been an Oquawka here to live in and enjoy. As early as the 1820’s there was an occasional steamboat pass the area on its way to the lead mines in Galena with supplies for Galena and a Fort also on the upper Mississippi.

In the day that Isaac Galland built that first little log cabin that the Phelps Brothers turned into a trading post and then into the town of Oquawka, the mode of travel was by canoe and flat boats. As more settlers moved in and farmland developed and crops were raised, the need for better transportation prevailed.

Steamboats were being improved each time a new one was built and served the communities along the river with great success. As the town grew, warehouses were built along the riverfront to store the commodities until a boat came along to carry them down the river to a point of distribution.

It was at this point in time that the city of Oquawka really reached its peak. From the early 1840’s through the 1850’s, Oquawka was a booming town and on it’s way to becoming a large city.

Some roads were connecting nearby communities but they were crude and could only be used as weather conditions dictated but they were the only means of transporting the early settlers produce to the shipping point at Oquawka.

Within the city exists a memorial and grave marker to a circus elephant named Norma Jean, who perished on July 17, 1972 after being struck by lightning. The pachyderm was attached to a small circus that performed in the city. Norma Jean was buried on the spot, and the circus, without its star attraction, closed within a year. Later, local pharmacist Wade Meloan spearheaded the drive to build the monument that stands over her grave.

Oquawka Parks and Recreation

The Oquawka community is dedicated to providing a clean, safe and fun environment for residents and visitors alike to enjoy. The Oquawka Parks and Recreation Department is committed to maintaining and providing recreational opportunities for those of all ages.

Henderson County Conservation Area
Henderson County Conservation Area is a popular retreat for camping and fishing and used to be Railroad property until the state purchased it in 1961. Henderson County Conservation offers swimming, camping, fishing, and if the ice is thick enough during the winter, ice fishing and skating are permitted.

The lake contains Redear sunfish, Largemouth bass, Crappie, Bluegill, and Catfish. The Henderson County Conservation Area also offers Hiking on the Lake View Trail and Picnicking at the sands Picnic Area. The Picnic area has a small shelter house, grills, and hand pumps for water. There is also a playground area for the younger visitors.

Delabar State Park
Delabar State Park is on the Mississippi River and has 89 acres of forest with oak, birch, and hickory trees. The wildlife at the park includes rabbit, raccoon groundhog, squirrel, deer, quail, and more than fifty types of birds have been identified in the park. The Park offers three Picnic areas, a playground with drinking water and rest rooms. Also offered are hiking trails, fishing. In the winter the park offers ice fishing and ice skating when the ice is thick. In 1959 Delabar’s land was donated to the State of Illinois by two brothers, Jack and Roy Delabar to be developed into a state park. The park officially opened in 1960

Big River State Forest
The Big River State Forest is located 6 miles north of Oquawka on the Oquawka-Keithsburg blacktop. The State Forest offers camping, boat launching, picnic areas, restrooms, and hiking trails. The State Forest also offers snowmobiling in the winter with thirty miles of marked trails and a warming center.

Benton Island
Benton Island is located on the Mississippi River one mile north of Oquawka. The island has been used for camping, swimming, and a place for boaters to gather. It is just one of many islands that can be used by boaters for their summer outings.

For information on local links and contact information, please visit my Oquawka Relocation Page